Hudson Valley NY *chat thread*

[Brznwench]

Ok, sounds good.. Thank you! And I know, it happens when you have chickens. I was so careful at first and never had any issues with the grown chickens so I started slacking. I guess the foxes were hanging back waiting for their big score.

Oh no.. I am so sorry! I had my neighbor inform me that a gray fox has been scouting out my coop and now I am worried as well! Neighbor has been finding alot of duck egg shells in a spot under his deck which is probably where this fox is living. How do you get rid of a fox? is it legal to kill it or do I need to get a have-a-heart trap and then what?

Serenity, I have a pair of Black Jersey Giants if you are interested. a Roo and a hen. both sweet and hand raised about 10-11 weeks old now. PM me if interested. huggggzz!

 

[Serenity Lane]

Oh  no..  I am so sorry!  I had my neighbor inform me that a gray fox has been scouting out my coop and now I am worried as well!  Neighbor has been finding alot of duck egg shells in a spot under his deck which is probably where this fox is living.  How do you get rid of a fox? is it legal to kill it or do I need to get a have-a-heart trap and then what?

Serenity, I have a pair of Black Jersey Giants if you are interested.  a Roo and a hen.  both sweet and hand raised about 10-11 weeks old now.  PM me if interested.  huggggzz!

Foxes are out of season this time of year. The reason is that now is when they raise their cubs. I don't know about trapping them. My foxes live on the back of my property. I know exactly where their den is. I actually have known for years but they've always minded their own business so I let them be. I saw the male last year, he is HUGE! My fiancé wants to get rid of them.. Probably a good idea. BUT my neighbor (who we get along really well with) likes the foxes. He actually feeds them (near their den, away from my chickens). Maybe he's been slacking and they got hungry.. I don't know. I feel bad getting rid of them. They're wild animals, they're just doing what they have to to survive. It just sucks that they took out my whole flock!
Yes, I am interested in your Jersey Giants. I'll PM you now. Thanks!!

 

[Brznwench]

my neighbor (who we get along really well with) likes the foxes. He actually feeds them (near their den, away from my chickens). Maybe he's been slacking and they got hungry.. I don't know.

Oh wow.... he is feeding them? Bad news!!!!

I went and looked it up. If a fox is damaging your property, you may "take" it at any time (NYS DEC). I think killing all your livestock constitutes property damage!

 

[carousel86]

I am so sorry to hear that a Fox is killing your chickens. You can get special permit to trap or kill fox anytime of year. Especially when they're killing your flock.

 

[JerseyHen]

I am will try not to upset anyone's sensibilities, but they will not stop now that they know you have a food source. You will not scare them off either. Fox are also really hard to trap unless they are very accustomed to people. It sounds like these might be so you might be able to get them into a haveahart. Also, they are easier to catch if they are desperately hungry (which yours are not if the neighbor is feeding them). If you do attempt to trap them, you should put the trap along a natural "funnel" or wall that they traverse (it puts them in the path of the trap). Put the trap in place, bait it (raw chicken, cat food, etc are pretty good options), set it, and de-scent the trap with a spray (or one of the natural methods: wood charcoal, dirt/clay, etc). Then cover the entire trap with a black garbage bag and cover that with leaves and/or lawn clippings. Try not to get your scent on things. Some chicken manure/shavings in the area around the trap might attract them too (and cover some of your odor in case it is still on there).

You can also have a nuisance animal trapper come and get them. I am not sure what they charge. Relocation is iffy, you would have to drop it off at least 25 miles away and if you take the fox out of the area (relocation or killing) you might have an increase in population for a time as new fox come in to compete for the newly vacated area and end up with another one anyway (at least it would be one that didn't know you have chickens yet).

They do sell fox deterrent (it is some chemical thing like with the deer deterrents, I think it is the same stuff they use to deter dogs since fox are in the canine family). I have read that ammonia soaked rags are a deterrent as well. I am not sure why, perhaps since ammonia is a precursor of urea they associate it with urine and think some larger predator is marking the territory. I don't know how long these deterrents work.

They probably have a den of kits right now. Cute until they go out hunting with mom and dad and then set up dens of their own around the area... This fox of yours though must be dealt with permanently since it knows where the chickens are.

 

[Serenity Lane]

I am will try not to upset anyone's sensibilities, but they will not stop now that they know you have a food source. You will not scare them off either. Fox are also really hard to trap unless they are very accustomed to people. It sounds like these might be so you might be able to get them into a haveahart. Also, they are easier to catch if they are desperately hungry (which yours are not if the neighbor is feeding them). If you do attempt to trap them, you should put the trap along a natural "funnel" or wall that they traverse (it puts them in the path of the trap). Put the trap in place, bait it (raw chicken, cat food, etc are pretty good options), set it, and de-scent the trap with a spray (or one of the natural methods: wood charcoal, dirt/clay, etc). Then cover the entire trap with a black garbage bag and cover that with leaves and/or lawn clippings. Try not to get your scent on things. Some chicken manure/shavings in the area around the trap might attract them too (and cover some of your odor in case it is still on there). 

You can also have a nuisance animal trapper come and get them. I am not sure what they charge. Relocation is iffy, you would have to drop it off at least 25 miles away and if you take the fox out of the area (relocation or killing) you might have an increase in population for a time as new fox come in to compete for the newly vacated area and end up with another one anyway (at least it would be one that didn't know you have chickens yet). 

They do sell fox deterrent (it is some chemical thing like with the deer deterrents, I think it is the same stuff they use to deter dogs since fox are in the canine family). I have read that ammonia soaked rags are a deterrent as well. I am not sure why, perhaps since ammonia is a precursor of urea they associate it with urine and think some larger predator is marking the territory. I don't know how long these deterrents work.

They probably have a den of kits right now. Cute until they go out hunting with mom and dad and then set up dens of their own around the area... This fox of yours though must be dealt with permanently since it knows where the chickens are. 

I know, you're right. I guess I'm a live and let live type of person.. But they didn't let my chickens live so they've gotta go! I'm sure the guys will take care of it and I won't know anything.. Well, I'll know they're gone but I don't wanna know details.
Thanks for the info!!

 

[Coupe]

as requested I just put 6 in my brooder. Have acouple more hatching aswell.

 

[LSzajko]

as requested

I just put 6 in my brooder. Have acouple more hatching aswell.

Beautiful!

 

[LSzajko]

I wish this were a better picture. They're all dark but they have a lot of blue in them also. The light one has some stunning buff coloring in its face.

 

[JerseyHen]

I know, you're right. I guess I'm a live and let live type of person.. But they didn't let my chickens live so they've gotta go! I'm sure the guys will take care of it and I won't know anything.. Well, I'll know they're gone but I don't wanna know details.
Thanks for the info!!

I feel the same way. I lose a few to raptors every year and lost half my flock to a pair of hunting foxes a few years ago. It was tragic, but that is life with chickens so I keep a flock large enough hoping that I don't get wiped out. If you want eggs or chicks, let me know. I am happy to provide you with chicks. They will be mixes, but should lay a colorful basket and be hardy hybrids.